Clothing lines draped in tattered shirts and bed sheets swooped from each side of the stage, representing a New York City scene from 1933. An overture of distinguishable songs play, concluding with notes that one can sing the words to, “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow, you’re only a day away.” The classic tune from the musical “Annie” is familiar amongst audiences young and old. Finally, the clothing lines rise, and the lights come up on a show that has brightened hopes for so many years.

Making its return to Broadway at the Palace Theatre, “Annie” is once again illuminating hearts on the streets of New York City. With its original Broadway run starting in 1977, this is the first time the musical has returned to the city since. Audiences, however, may be familiar with the two cinema versions of the musical that were produced in 1982, by Columbia Pictures, and again in 1999, by Walt Disney Pictures.

Annie’s uplifting cast has provided audiences with nothing but good things to say about the revival. Katie Finneran is fumbling her way to “Easy Street” as the over-expressive, alcoholic, orphanage owner Miss Hannigan. Finneran, who is no stranger to the Great White Way, gives the crowd a Tony Award-worthy performance, leaving them wanting more. Making his Broadway debut, Anthony Warlow plays the compassionate billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

11-year-old Lilla Crawford snagged the title role of Annie, with Taylor Richardson holding the ground as her understudy. The two are able to perform as the tough but optimistic character and belt the high hitting “Tomorrow,” along with two other major musical numbers just within the first half hour of the show. The pint-sized cast members are six “Little Girls” whom accompany Annie at the orphanage. All six are under 11 years old and give off so much energy, stealing some of the show’s biggest numbers.

Not many who come to see the show know the history of Annie’s four-legged friend, Sandy. In every Broadway stage production of “Annie,” Sandy has been a rescued shelter dog. Today’s Sandy is named “Sunny” and was saved by Broadway animal trainer, William Berloni, a mere 24 hours before her days at the shelter were to be over. Sunny has “the soulful eyes” and loveable charm of the original Sandy, according to her Playbill biography. Sunny gains “awes” from the crowd every time she is on stage.

“Annie” continues to be a musical that brings people together and will make anyone leave life’s worries behind. If one thing is guaranteed, audiences will leave the theatre humming one of the musical’s upbeat tunes, whether it’s “Maybe” or “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” With these catchy songs in their head, they will be to remember “you’re never fully dressed without a smile.”